Dolly Parton Lends Name to East Tennessee Children's Hospital

The hospital will now be known as Dolly Parton Children's Hospital.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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East Tennessee Children's Hospital is changing its name to Dolly Parton Children's Hospital, with the iconic country music star lending her name and support to the 90-year-old medical institution. Dolly Parton says she is honored to "stand alongside this hospital and do my part to help bring more hope, more comfort and more healing to children and families." The hospital's president and CEO says this is more than just a name change, and that Dolly's involvement will strengthen their mission of delivering world-class pediatric care.

Why it matters

Dolly Parton's involvement with the hospital is expected to raise its profile and potentially increase resources and support for the facility, which serves families across East Tennessee. As a beloved public figure, Parton's name recognition and philanthropic efforts could significantly benefit the hospital's ability to provide high-quality care to children in the region.

The details

East Tennessee Children's Hospital, which has a main campus in Knoxville and close to 20 additional locations across the region, has a 90-year history of serving pediatric patients. The hospital's president and CEO, Matt Schaefer, says the name change is "more than a symbolic gesture" and that Dolly Parton's support will help strengthen the hospital's mission and ensure every child receives the treatment they deserve.

  • East Tennessee Children's Hospital has operated for 90 years.
  • The name change to Dolly Parton Children's Hospital was announced on February 26, 2026.

The players

Dolly Parton

A legendary country music singer, songwriter, and philanthropist who grew up in East Tennessee and is lending her name and support to the children's hospital in her home region.

Matt Schaefer

The president and CEO of Dolly Parton Children's Hospital, who says the name change is more than just symbolic and that Parton's involvement will strengthen the hospital's mission.

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What they’re saying

“Being fortunate to have grown up in the mountains of East Tennessee, I learned early on what it means to take care of one another. Every child deserves world-class care, wrapped in kindness and love. I'm so honored to stand alongside this hospital and do my part to help bring more hope, more comfort and more healing to children and families.”

— Dolly Parton (ktlo.com)

“This is more than a name change. With Dolly's support, we are strengthening our mission to deliver world-class pediatric care to families, ensuring every child who walks through our doors receives the treatment they deserve.”

— Matt Schaefer, President and CEO, Dolly Parton Children's Hospital (ktlo.com)

What’s next

The hospital plans to hold a grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly named Dolly Parton Children's Hospital on March 15, 2026.

The takeaway

Dolly Parton's decision to lend her name and support to the East Tennessee Children's Hospital is a significant boost for the 90-year-old institution, which is expected to benefit from the country music icon's star power, philanthropic efforts, and commitment to providing high-quality care for children in the region.